Friday, February 14, 2014

Please bring more snacks with you to school. I know you always think you bring enough food, but you should bring more... and more options. I'm always hungry, and it's your responsibility to keep feeding me.

Sincerely,

Your Body

Dear Body,

I'm doing my best! I have this reversal problem from most... My stomach is, in fact, bigger than my eyes. I know - who'da thunk it? It gets expensive feeding you and keeping you happy, bringing as many varying options as possible when I'm constantly on the run! I'll make a mental and literal note to feed you more.

Sincerely,

Linze

Dear Linze,

Be smart though. Put those cheetos from the back closet down... NOW. They're not helping me at all.

Sincerely,

Your Thighs

P.S. Your gallbladder is also whispering a thank you for not partaking in the junk food too.

If I could show you the way I feel now compared to the past, you'd understand the choices I am making for my body. If If I could show you the progress pictures I have already taken, you'd realize why I making the choices I am for my body. Well, I COULD show you those pictures... yea, not happening yet. I've made some VAST improvements on my body image, but I'm not yet where I feel comfortable showing past to present... and it's about more than those pictures.

I feel better. I feel healthier. I feel happier. I know I am moving in a direction I want to stay living in for the rest of my life. I am learning to love my body in full for the first time. I am finally saying I love you to that special someone... and that someone is me.

Happy V-Day, you sexy beast, you.
*muah*

Song of the Day: I don't love the video. I don't - sorry. However, I love the song. Here is Miley Cyrus with "I Adore You." Enjoy and Happy V-Day to all you lovers out there - even if it's just loving who you are and who you are becoming! :)

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

"The heart is not so easily changed, but the head can be persuaded..."

This is not an entry about Frozen, although that might not be so bad to read. That was a pretty chill movie... get it? Chill? See what I did there? Yea, apparently I'm not as funny as previously claimed. I can't help it if I adore a good pun... a lot. Sidenote: I LOVED Frozen! I know some did not, but I thought it was adorable, the music was fun, the voices were great, the themes were awesome, the I loved that they decided NOT to have two people get married in a week. You can begin to really like someone in a day, I know form experience.... but enough to love them for all time? Yea, there's a resounding, "use your brain, please!"

Anyway, I love this line from the film because I believe that it's one of the most poignant moments. Someone's mind can be changed as we are wiling to think about things differently. However, deep-seeded beliefs and feelings are not always as easily swayed when the heart is involved. The heart is central to the body, and thus, central to how we function... to who we are. The heart pumps blood through our ENTIRE BODIES - it allows us to live and effects EVERY part of us. This is its literal function. However, the heart is more than literal.... We talk about the feelings we have being deep, being central to our souls, and often controlling our mindset. Again, we see the heart effects EVERY part of us.

We have been told that before the second coming of our Savior, "men's hearts shall fail them..." What does this really mean than? Well, if we look at the literal sense of the statement, heart diseases and attacks are growing more and more common. Many illnesses are overtaking our bodies, and as the heart being the central controlling factor, is frequently involved. In the less literal way, but still as vitally real, we see hearts failing everyday within society emotional spectrum. People CARE LESS than previously seen. People are increasingly apathetic and selfish. People are giving up on kindness, charity, and sacrifice. Ideas of divinity and God are pushed aside for more frivolous ventures... We forget what's important and often go for the easy route or instant gratification.

"Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." - Luke 21:26

We put our FEAR in men, in those around us or society's ideals, while we should instead be putting our FAITH in God. It really comes down to the fact that fear is a lack of faith.... in ourselves, in others, in our Heavenly Father. We allow our fear to overcome and fail our faithful hearts.

"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 2:5

Now, I believe there is an importance in using your heart and minds together. We were given our minds for a reason, but we were also given our hearts for a reason. In the past few months, I have observed those who are too focused on their minds and not their hearts, and those who are so focused on feelings while they fail in using logic. Both situations are negative. In fact, I suppose one could argue in these final days people's minds are also failing them... However, the mind can be changed and brought to new knowledge and understanding. The heart IS much harder to shape and rebuild. The heart is the center to our being....

Why am I writing about this? I'm been debating within myself what ways my heart has failed me. When have I lacked kindness or charity? When have I looked for what I want in the moment more than what is right? When have I lacked FAITH?

I will not be one to let my heart fail me. I will have more faith in myself. I will not let my heart fail Him. I will have more faith in my God and my Savior. Simple put:

"Remove any of your fear with faith.

Trust the power of God to guide you." - Elder M. Russell Ballard

*muah*

Song of the Day: I think in having faith, we should all be a bit more happy.... Thus, here is Pharrell Williams' song, "Happy." Enjoy!

A Little Bit About Me...

I am a singer, an actress, and a dancer. I am an educator and a life-long learner. I am a comedian. I love to laugh... and smile. I am spiritual and passionate about my faith. I love sports, politics, reading, writing poetry, and I'm crazy about traveling! I work hard and play even harder... I hold no shame in my awkwardness, and embrace the unique. I am passionate and emotional, though I very rarely cry. I have two webbed toes, love eyeliner and the color yellow, eat too much ice cream, collect elephants, and am a personal paradox - living in planned spontaneity. Oh, and I love to BLOG.